Digital Nomad Visa: Work From Costa Rica

Digital Nomad Visa at a Glance

Status: a non-resident stay category for remote workers with foreign-sourced income.
Minimum: US$3,000 per month for an individual or US$4,000 for an eligible family group.
Important: this is not residency and does not automatically lead to permanent residency.
First step: confirm income, remote-work, and insurance evidence before applying.

How the Digital Nomad visa works

For remote workers paid from abroad.You work remotely for an employer or clients outside Costa Rica and earn at least US$3,000 a month, or US$4,000 if your family comes with you, averaged over the last year.

Your family can come with you.Your spouse or partner, your children under 25, adult children with a disability and older adults who live with you can be included.

Up to one year, renewable once.You can extend for one more year if you spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica during your first year.

Health insurance is required.Your medical coverage must be at least US$50,000 and last for your whole stay.

Extra benefits.No Costa Rican income tax on the income you earn from abroad, you can drive with your valid home-country license, and you can open a savings account at a Costa Rican bank.

Want to stay longer? Look at Rentista.The Digital Nomad visa is a stay, not residency. With steady income of US$2,500 a month, the Rentista category gives you residency instead.

“A lot of people ask about the Digital Nomad visa because they think it’s the only way they can come to Costa Rica. They assume everything is expensive, until they find out that with US$2,500 a month they can get residency under the Rentista category.”

Glenn Tellier, founder of CRIE

Nomad or Rentista? Ask us which fits you

Costa Rica’s Digital Nomad Visa is designed for people who work remotely for employers or clients outside Costa Rica and want to stay longer than a typical tourist visit.

This program allows you to live in Costa Rica while continuing to earn income from abroad. It is a practical option for those who want a flexible, longer-term stay without committing to a residency category.

On this page, you will find a clear overview of how the Digital Nomad Visa works, the main requirements, the process, the most common mistakes, and how to determine whether this is the right option for your situation.

What This Immigration Status Is

The Digital Nomad Visa is a non-resident status (estancia) designed for remote workers with foreign-sourced income. It allows you to stay in Costa Rica for an extended period while continuing your work outside the country.

It is important to understand:

This is not residency.
It does not automatically become permanent residency.
A later residency application must meet a separate category’s requirements.

If your long-term goal is residency, a category such as Pensionado, Rentista, or Investor may be a better fit.

Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

The requirements come from Law 10008 and its regulation, Executive Decree 43619, which the DGME applies. You apply online and you need:

The application form, signed by you, or by your representative with a special power of attorney.
Remote income from abroad: at least US$3,000 a month on average over the last year, or US$4,000 a month if your family applies with you (your income and your spouse’s can be added together). It must come from an employer or clients outside Costa Rica and keep arriving while you live here.
Proof of that income: bank statements for the last year with a sworn statement that you obtained them from your bank, or a certification from a public accountant or notary, apostilled or legalized if it is issued abroad.
Your passport: an image of the photo page, plus the page with your Costa Rica entry stamp if you are already here.
An entry visa, only if your nationality needs one to enter Costa Rica.
Proof of the government payment for the application.
Health insurance for your whole stay, with at least US$50,000 of medical coverage in Costa Rica, from an insurer authorized by SUGESE or an international policy. Each family member needs their own policy.

Every document in another language needs an official Spanish translation. The DGME also runs a criminal and police background check through national and international databases.

Bringing your family

Your spouse or common-law partner, children under 25, children of any age with a disability, and older adults who live with you can be included. Each files the same basic items plus proof of the relationship: a marriage certificate issued within the last six months, proof of the common-law union, a birth certificate for each child, or a sworn statement for an older adult who lives with you.

Start Your Digital Nomad Preparation From Home

If possible, begin your preparation before you travel to Costa Rica. This gives you time to send your documents to us on WhatsApp so we can review them early and confirm they are correct.

This is especially important for Digital Nomad applications where income proof, insurance, and documentation must be clear and properly formatted. Fixing issues early helps avoid delays after arrival.

How to Apply, Step by Step

Check the income and insurance first. Send us your bank statements and policy on WhatsApp and we confirm they meet the rules before you file.
Apply online on the DGME’s Trámite Ya platform, from abroad or once you are in Costa Rica.
Fix anything missing. If something is incomplete, the DGME sends one written notice and you have eight business days to answer.
Get the decision. The law gives the DGME 15 calendar days to decide a complete application.
Collect your ID card within three months. Book an appointment and go in person for your photo and fingerprints, with your passport, the payment receipts and your health insurance policy.
Renew once for a second year. You must have spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the first year, and you file the form and your income proof again.

Common Mistakes

Unclear income proof: not showing consistent qualifying income.
Weak remote-work documentation: unclear contracts or letters.
Insurance gaps: missing required coverage details.
Wrong format: submitting incomplete or unclear documents.
Missing translations: not translating documents when required.
Name inconsistencies: mismatches across documents.
Assuming automatic residency: a change of category requires a separate qualifying application.
Poor timing: documents expiring before submission.

Who This Is Best For

Remote employees working for companies outside Costa Rica.
Freelancers with international clients.
Online business owners with foreign income.
People who want to live in Costa Rica temporarily before committing to residency.
Applicants looking for a flexible extended stay option.

If your goal is to stay long-term, review the category you actually qualify for. Article 15 permits a change-of-category application before the benefit expires, subject to the relevant requirements. Read our residency transition guide.

More digital nomad guides

FAQ

Is the Digital Nomad Visa residency?

No. It is a non-resident stay (estancia). Before it expires you can apply to change to a residency category, such as Rentista or Pensionado, if you meet that category’s requirements.

Can I work for a Costa Rican company?

No. You may only do the remote work for employers or clients abroad. Other paid work in Costa Rica can cost you the status and its tax benefits.

Can I include my family?

Yes. The income requirement rises to US$4,000 a month, and each family member needs their own health insurance.

How long can I stay?

Up to one year, and you can ask for less. You can renew once for one more year if you spent at least 180 days in Costa Rica during the first year.

Do I pay Costa Rican income tax?

Not on your remote income. Law 10008 gives the digital nomad a full exemption from income tax, and you are not treated as a tax resident. The exemption does not extend to family members.

Can I apply if I am already in Costa Rica?

Yes. You include the page of your passport with your Costa Rica entry stamp.

How long does approval take?

The law gives the DGME 15 calendar days to decide a complete application. Missing documents pause that clock, which is why we check everything before filing.

Can I bring my work equipment tax-free?

Yes. Basic personal computer and telecommunications equipment you need for your work can be imported free of import taxes while you hold the status, within the limits customs sets.

Can I drive and open a bank account?

Yes. Your valid home-country driver’s license is accepted, and you can open a savings account at a Costa Rican bank.

Quick Comparison

Message us on WhatsApp

If you are considering the Digital Nomad Visa, the smartest first step is confirming whether this is the right option for your long-term plans. If you are still in your home country, even better. We can review your case early and help you avoid delays.

WhatsApp: +506 8373 2085
Email: info@crie.cr

Professional Disclaimer

This page is general information, not advice on your particular case. The DGME decides every application and requirements can change, so we confirm the current checklist before anything is filed.

Not sure this is the right category for you? Compare all the routes side by side in our guide to Costa Rica residency options, which sets out what each one needs and how the process runs.

Official sources

Law 10008, the Law to Attract International Remote Workers and Service Providers, and its regulation, Executive Decree 43619, both published on the government legal database SINALEVI. Applications are filed on the DGME’s Trámite Ya platform.